A26892:6225
A Christian Directory
A Christian directory, or, A sum of practical theology and cases of conscience directing Christians how to use their knowledge and faith, how to improve all helps and means, and to perform all duties, how to overcome temptations, and to escape or mortify every sin : in four parts ... / by Richard Baxter.A Christian directory, or, A summ of practical theologie and cases of conscience directing Christians how to use their knowledge and faith, how to improve all helps and means, and to perform all duties, how to overcome temptations, and to escape or mortifie every sin : in four parts ... / by Richard Baxter.
London: printed by Robert White for Nevill Simmons, 1673
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
10. If the Children of Heathens have right to baptism and salvation thereby it is either, 1. As they are men, and all have right, or 2. Because the parents give them right, 3. Or because remote ancestors give them right, 4. Or because the universal Church gives them right, 5. Or because a particular Church giveth them right, 6. Or because the Sponsors give them right, 7. Or the Magistrate, 8. Or the Baptizer. But it is none of all these, as shall anon be proved.
II. But as to the second question, I answer: 1. It will help us to understand the case the better if we prepare the way by opening the case of the Adult, because in Scripture times, they were the most famous subjects of Baptism. And it is certain of such, 1. That every one outwardly Baptized is not in a state of salvation. That no hypocrite that is not a true penitent believer is in such a state. 2. That every true penitent believer is before God in a state of salvation, as soon as he is such; And before the Church, as soon as he is baptized. 3. That we are not to use the word Baptism as a Physical term only, but as a moral Theological term. Because words (as in Law, physic, &c.) are to be understood according to the art or science in which they are treated of. And Baptism taken Theologically doth as Essentially include the Wills consent or Heart-Covenanting with God, as Matrimony includeth marriage consent, and as a man containeth the soul as well as the body. And thus it is certain that all truly Baptized persons are in a state of salvation; that is, All that sincerely consent to the Baptismal Covenant when they profess consent by Baptism, (but not hypocrites.) 4. And in this sense all the Ancient Pastors of the Churches, did concur that Baptism did wash away all sin, and put the baptized into a present right to life eternal; as he that examineth their Writings will perceive: not the outward washing and words alone, but when the inward and outward parts concur, or when by true faith and repentance, the Receiver hath right to the Covenant of God. 5. In this sense it is no unfit language to imitate the Fathers, and to say that the truly baptized are in a state of Justification, adoption and salvation, unless when mens misunderstanding maketh it unsa•e. 6. The sober Papists themselves say the same thing, and when they have said that even ex opere operato Baptism saveth, they add that it is only the meet Receiver; that is, the penitent believer, and no other of the adult. So that hitherto there is no difference.